Kyle Larson through the years

By George Winkler | Thursday, December 13, 2018

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2012: Kyle Larson (pictured at Atlanta) made his NASCAR national series debut in the Camping World Truck Series driving for Turner Scott Motorsports in the June 28 race at Kentucky Speedway. Larson, a product of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program, competed in four Truck Series races that season with his best finish (second place) coming at Phoenix.

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2012: Larson flashed early talent by winning the K&N Pro Series East championship driving for Rev Racing and Max Siegel. He had two wins (Jefferson, Loudon) and eight top-five finishes in 14 races en route to the title and rookie-of-the-year honors.

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2013: Larson (pictured at Indianapolis) moved up to a full-time ride in the Xfinity Series for Turner Scott Motorsports. He earned the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award thanks to 17 top-10 finishes in 33 races. He did not have a win, but he finished second four times.

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2013: Larson breaks through for his first NASCAR national series win in the Camping World Truck Series at Rockingham Speedway. He led 187 of the 205 laps and edged Joey Logano by .177 seconds for the victory.

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2013: Larson got his first taste of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series action in the fall race at Charlotte. A couple of months earlier it was announced that he would drive the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet full-time in 2014. Larson raced four times in the Monster Energy Series in 2013 with his best finish coming at Miami (15th).

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2014: Larson enjoyed an eventful and successful rookie season in the Monster Energy Series, including earning his first Darlington stripe (pictured). He had 17 top-10 finishes in 36 races and earned the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award.

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2014: Larson celebrated his first win in the Xfinity Series (Auto Club Speedway) on March 22. He led 17 laps and beat Kevin Harvick to the start-finish line by .342 seconds. Larson won later in the season at Charlotte to go with 21 top-10 finishes in 28 races.

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2015: Larson (pictured with Tony Kanaan) displays his Rolex watch after winning The Rolex 24 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway driving the No. 02 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Target/Ford EcoBoost Riley.

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2015: Larson kisses girlfriend Katelyn Sweet as they hold son Owen before the Xfinity Series opener at Daytona International Speedway. Owen was born in December of 2014. The couple is expecting a second child in May of 2018.

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2016: In his 99th start in the Monster Energy Series Larson gets his first victory (at Michigan). Larson leads 41 laps and beats Chase Elliott to the start-finish line by 1.478 seconds. Larson finishes ninth in the season's final standings after compiling 15 top-10 finishes in 36 races.

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2017: The California Kid keeps the momentum going with a win in his home state at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. Larson starts from the pole position and leads 110 laps en route to his second win, then gets to celebrate with son Owen in Victory Lane.

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2017: Larson picks up four wins in 2017, including a sweep in both races at Michigan for his second and third career victories at the superspeedway. Larson advances to the playoffs but finishes eighth in the standings despite battling eventual champion Martin Truex Jr. throughout the season.

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Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

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2017: Larson and Chip Ganassi Racing signed a multiyear deal with primary sponsor Credit One Bank in November during Champion's Week. The future looks bright in the Monster Energy Series for Larson and the No. 42 team.

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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

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2018: Larson made the playoffs for the third straight season, but was eliminated from championship contention in the Round of 12. Larson's 12 top-five finishes in 2018 ranked fifth behind only the 'Big 3' and eventual champion Joey Logano.